The day after a blizzard.Among the uncollected trash bagsthere’s a mop planted by the curb proud flag staking claim to its grey peak.We stay inside and talk fathers.Chrístopher says dealingrequires the patient willingnessto be deficient.

And it’s true, my dad takes issue with everyone.I remember him screaming at Chuck Knoblauch, calling him a knucklehead for fouling up the double play,and setting off the cackling, sound-activated jack-o-lantern on the mantel.